As the new year approaches, BBC One and iPlayer are set to deliver the perfect binge-watch with Can You Keep a Secret?, a six-part sitcom that masterfully fuses comedy, crime, and heartfelt family drama. Starring comedy legend Dawn French alongside Mark Heap, Craig Roberts, and Mandip Gill, this deceptive tale of fraud and secrets arrives just in time for those cozy winter evenings. Described as the story of “an odd little family you haven’t met yet, but that you already know,” the series promises to keep viewers laughing one moment and guessing the next. With its sharp writing, relatable mischief, and a premise that’s equal parts outlandish and endearing, Can You Keep a Secret? is poised to become a must-watch, blending the warmth of classic British sitcoms with a thrilling farcical edge.
Set and filmed in the picturesque West Country, the show centers on the Fendon family—a quirky, dysfunctional clan navigating the fallout from one impulsive decision that spirals into a web of deception. At the heart of the story is Debbie Fendon, a domineering grandmother, keen lawn bowler, and self-appointed family protector who often becomes the source of their greatest troubles. Played by Dawn French, Debbie is a force of nature: pragmatic to a fault, fiercely loyal, and willing to bend (or outright break) the rules if it means securing her loved ones’ future.
The plot kicks off with a bureaucratic mix-up that presents an irresistible opportunity. Debbie’s reclusive husband, William—a hermit-like retiree suffering from Parkinson’s disease— is mistakenly declared dead. Rather than correct the error, the couple seizes the moment to claim a substantial life insurance payout, motivated by financial struggles and a desire for a comfortable retirement. William hides away in the loft, while Debbie plays the grieving widow to the outside world. What starts as a seemingly clever scheme quickly unravels, placing immense strain on their family as lies pile up and close calls mount.
Their son, Harry, becomes unwittingly entangled in the chaos. A frazzled, emotionally awkward everyman who’s just trying to hold his own life together, Harry is thrust into the role of reluctant accomplice. Despite his shortcomings, he’s built a family of his own, complete with young children and a wife whose profession adds explosive tension to the mix. Neha, Harry’s no-nonsense spouse, is a local police officer—pathologically pragmatic and dedicated to upholding the law. The irony is delicious: as the Fendons’ fraud deepens, Neha’s suspicions grow, turning everyday family interactions into high-stakes games of cat and mouse.
Across its six 30-minute episodes, Can You Keep a Secret? explores the escalating absurdity of maintaining the ruse. From awkward funeral arrangements and nosy neighbors to unexpected visitors and insurance investigations, the family faces one comical crisis after another. The deception tests loyalties, exposes vulnerabilities, and forces each character to confront moral dilemmas: How far would you go to protect your family? Is a “victimless” crime truly harmless? The series cleverly balances these questions with laugh-out-loud moments, drawing on classic farce traditions where hidden characters, mistaken identities, and escalating lies drive the humor.
What elevates the show beyond mere slapstick is its nuanced examination of family dynamics in later life stages—a rarely portrayed phase where aging parents, adult children, and grandchildren collide under one roof (or loft). Themes of aging, health challenges, financial insecurity, and intergenerational conflict are woven seamlessly into the narrative, grounding the criminal twist in relatable realities. The fraud isn’t glorified; instead, it’s portrayed as a desperate, flawed choice that humanizes the characters, making viewers root for them even as they cringe at the risks.
The writing, penned by Simon Mayhew-Archer—known for his work on the acclaimed This Country—strikes a perfect tone. It captures the dry, observational humor of rural British life while infusing a thriller-like suspense that pulls audiences through the episodes. Director Simon Hynd, with credits on hits like Ghosts and Motherland, brings a brisk pacing and visual flair that heightens the comedic tension, from cramped hiding spots to tense dinner-table interrogations.
Leading the ensemble is Dawn French as Debbie Fendon, in what feels like a role tailor-made for her incomparable talents. French, a national treasure famed for The Vicar of Dibley, French & Saunders, and countless other classics, embodies Debbie with her signature warmth, wit, and commanding presence. Debbie is no saint—she’s bossy, manipulative, and unapologetically meddlesome—but French infuses her with such charm and vulnerability that she’s utterly compelling. Her performance captures the fierce maternal instinct that drives the scheme, blending comic timing with emotional depth. French has described the role as a dream, noting the rare opportunity to play a complex, clothes-on character in a sitcom that explores mischief we can all relate to.
Opposite her is Mark Heap as William, delivering a masterful portrayal of quiet eccentricity and quiet desperation. Heap, beloved for his quirky roles in Friday Night Dinner (as the unforgettable Jim), Green Wing, and Spaced, brings a subtle brilliance to the reclusive husband. Trapped in hiding, William’s isolation amplifies his odd habits and wry observations, creating hilarious contrasts with Debbie’s boldness. Heap’s physical comedy shines in scenes of loft-bound confinement, while his understated delivery adds poignant layers to William’s health struggles and longing for peace.
Craig Roberts plays Harry, the stressed-out son caught in the middle. Known for his nuanced performances in films like Submarine and series such as The Story of Tracy Beaker, Roberts excels at portraying relatable anxiety and emotional clumsiness. Harry’s journey—from mourning his “dead” father to grappling with the shocking truth—provides the emotional core, as he balances grief, guilt, and the fear of everything imploding. His interactions with his parents highlight generational clashes, with Roberts nailing the exasperated adult-child dynamic that many viewers will recognize.
Rounding out the key cast is Mandip Gill as Neha, Harry’s wife and the unwitting threat to the family’s secret. Fresh from her role as companion Yasmin Khan in Doctor Who, Gill brings sharp intelligence and dry humor to the pragmatic police officer. Neha’s professionalism and suspicion create constant peril, turning her into the show’s moral compass and comedic foil. Her scenes with the Fendons crackle with tension, as subtle clues and near-misses keep the fraud on the brink of exposure.
The supporting ensemble adds further richness, with familiar faces popping up in neighborhood roles that amplify the small-community feel. The chemistry among the leads is electric—French and Heap’s long-simmering marital banter feels lived-in, while Roberts and Gill ground the younger generation in modern family stresses.
Produced by Big Talk Studios in collaboration with Mayhay Studios and CBS Studios, Can You Keep a Secret? benefits from top-tier production values. The West Country locations lend an authentic, idyllic backdrop that contrasts beautifully with the domestic mayhem. The show’s hybrid nature—sitcom warmth meets crime caper—sets it apart, offering bingeable episodes that escalate toward a satisfying resolution without losing heart.
In an era of polished streaming comedies, this series stands out for its bold premise and heartfelt execution. It reminds us that families are messy, secrets are burdensome, and sometimes the biggest threats come from those we love most. Whether you’re drawn to the laughs, the suspense, or the relatable portrayal of an “odd little family,” Can You Keep a Secret? delivers on all fronts. As the Fendons teeter on the edge of discovery, one question lingers: Can they pull it off, or will someone finally spill the beans?
With its stellar cast, clever scripting, and timely exploration of loyalty and deception, this is the ultimate New Year watch—guaranteed to have you hooked, chuckling, and second-guessing right up to the finale.
